The Western Bulldogs have locked in a finals berth with a convincing 11.8 (74) to 6.8 (44) victory against Fremantle at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.

With a top-eight spot on the line, the Dogs lifted after a tight first quarter, kicking five goals in the second term and going to the long break with momentum, and potential rewards, to carry them through till the final siren.

Despite a disappointing end to their 2020 campaign, Fremantle will now turn to the 2021 season with hope with 19-year-old Caleb Serong a stand out in the midfield, with an equal-most 25 disposals for Fremantle alongside defender Luke Ryan.

Serong’s six tackles and six inside 50s also led Freo while his 12 contested possesisons matched captain Nat Fyfe and trailed only Sean Darcy (13) for Freo.

Adam Cerra (18 disposals) and Andrew Brayshaw (16 disposals, five clearances) also gives Freo fans hope for next season.

Fyfe tried his best to inspire his side with a two-goal second term, highlighted by a long bomb off a step well outside the 50m arc.

Tom Liberatore (25 disposals, eight tackles) willed himself to every contest in a performance that encapsulated his class and toughness, while Lachie Hunter (34 disposals, one goal) was prolific all night for the Bulldogs.

In the end, Fremantle couldn't do Melbourne an almighty favour, as the Western Bulldogs kicked clear with the game's final four goals to earn a second successive finals appearance.

A win for the Dogs is a loss for the Dees
Melbourne fans must not like tuning into Sunday evening games to end the season. Just as it was back in 2017, the Demons fall just shy of a finals berth as a result of a nervous Sunday night match. It was West Coast that took their spot back then, and it's the Western Bulldogs in 2020. The Dogs' victory means they will play finals footy this year and will play either St Kilda (if Port Adelaide wins on Monday night) or West Coast (if Collingwood wins on Monday night) in an elimination final in a fortnight's time. As for Melbourne, who watched the match from its team hotel in Maroochydore, it's the frustration of ninth again.

Dogs sweat on Naughton, Wallis
Aaron Naughton has often been the Western Bulldogs' focal point in attack, but his night ended prior to half-time on Sunday evening after a head clash with ruckman Sean Darcy. Making the situation all the more worrying, the team's medical staff also looked concerned by an apparent shoulder injury sustained by Mitch Wallis in the dying stages of his 150th game. In their absence, Josh Bruce took a number of strong marks playing higher up the ground, while defender Alex Keath shifted forward in the second half to give the side another option inside 50. Naughton headed to hospital at the main break for precautionary scans, having appeared to hold his cheekbone as he left the field, while Wallis will almost certainly do likewise this week. The Bulldogs will now wait nervously for the results ahead of their do-or-die final in a fortnight.

Jesse's journey nearly comes full circle
There was a time when Jesse Hogan would have dreamt of leading Melbourne into the finals. Just not like this. In the knowledge that a Fremantle victory on Sunday night would keep his old side in the top-eight, Hogan continued a promising end to the season. After an impressive four-goal haul against North Melbourne in his last match, the imposing forward became the No.1 target in attack when Matt Taberner withdrew on the eve of the clash with a quad injury. He led hard and competed well in the air, capping his night with a nice mark and goal in the third term. That complemented a performance that featured 13 disposals and six grabs. However, unfortunately for the Dees, it wasn't enough for an upset.

FREMANTLE 2.2 5.4 6.5 6.8 (44)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.3 7.4 8.8 11.8 (74)

GOALS
Fremantle: Fyfe 2, Darcy, Schulz, Crowden, Hogan
Western Bulldogs: English 2, Wallis, Johannisen, Naughton, Bruce, Lipinski, B.Smith, Hunter, Daniel, Bontempelli

BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Serong, Ryan, Darcy, Cerra, Hogan
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Hunter, Bontempelli, English, Lipinski, Daniel

INJURIES
Fremantle: Taberner (quad) replaced in selected side by Colyer
Western Bulldogs: Naughton (head), Wallis (shoulder)